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Original poster

New Year’s Eve at home

100 replies

Ofmypencilcase · 27/12/2021 22:27

With Dh and Dd, 3.5, any ideas what to eat/do to make it a bit more of an event than a normal day?

What are your plans?

OP posts:
HikingforScenery · 28/12/2021 12:20

Love New Year’s Eve. It’s always been about spending time together as family and reflecting on our many blessings over the past year. Hopefully, we’ll be out with DC ushering in the new year.
The concept of going on partying with strangers on new year’s is very strange to me. Each to their own though.

TheBitterBoy · 28/12/2021 12:32

@JurgensCakeBabyJesus No, but it's nice to know we're not the only ones Xmas Grin

notanothertakeaway · 28/12/2021 12:38

@Booksandwine80

I’m sorry but I can’t stop laughing at “high tea” Xmas Grin Does it consist of naice ham and “picky bits” ?
No, high tea is a substantial meal, served early eg egg and chips. Not dainty canapes
MrsPear · 28/12/2021 13:45

H is Albanian and new year is his Christmas. We have a good meal - not sure what I’m cooking yet but plenty of time to decide- fireworks and the children open presents from his side. Usually a film and games happen and there is the show on Albanian tv - best described as Saturday night at the palladium or the variety show. I’ve got to get the house straight before as well - don’t know who is coming either as usually as per tradition h hoovers up waifs and strays he knows who don’t have direct family here.

Titsywoo · 28/12/2021 19:03

I would love a quiet night but for at least 10 years we have had friends over and the DC love this tradition. Xmas was a flop as we got covid so like every year I will keep the kids happy with a party but it's not my ideal night. I'm sure I'll enjoy myself but will be glad when it is over!

MsTSwift · 28/12/2021 19:08

I am also finding “high tea” amusing because it sounds so pretentious and everyone seems to have their own (entirely different) definition of what it actually is 😁

JustDanceAddict · 28/12/2021 19:13

I’ve always been a fan of new year’s and hated not having a plan or if it was cancelled last minute.
Mostly (since age 16 when started going out), they’ve been good, since DCs we’ve been to or had various friends over. Obviously last year was lockdown so the 4 of us, inc teen DCs were in and it was a bit shite & this year the friends we were going to see have covid!!
It also seems like the DCs plans are vague too so it’s all up in the air. DS and his gang will prob end up at someone’s house last minute but not sure re DD as things are more complicated w her friends. No-one has firm plans it seems anyway.
Ps: I see ‘high tea’ as afternoon tea w sarnies, etc.

sweetbellyhigh · 28/12/2021 19:29

@MsTSwift

I am also finding “high tea” amusing because it sounds so pretentious and everyone seems to have their own (entirely different) definition of what it actually is 😁
High tea is just what it's called. You should try it, such fun.
Thepollonator · 28/12/2021 19:44

@hivemindneeded
What a lovely tradition, it sounds amazing!

BashfulClam · 28/12/2021 19:56

I’m Scottish so Hogmanay the house will get cleaned from top to bottom, always start the year clean. No cleaning on NYD and can’t put a washing on or you will wash away a life(I’m not superstitious normally but I’m not taking chances now). Will see the bells in with some drinks and open the front and back doors to let 2021 fuck off.

If you are singing Auld Lang Syne make sure you do it properly and don’t cross your arms until after the first verse.

We’ll watch Cobra Kai as the new series drops on Friday and on NYD we’ll go for a long walk at the beach and home to steak pie (it’s almost a law in Scotland to have steak pie at New Year).

ringoutthebells · 28/12/2021 20:53

I spent years clubbing or at very least out with friends, now since kids we have a Japanese takeaway in and in bed by 10, usually woken by fireworks at 12 😒 Now dd is getting a bit older we do a fake countdown, hotdogs and sparklers, something like that, earlier in the day. Don't miss being out a jot and resent getting woken up at midnight! Might go ice skating on New Year's Day if we can.

TheWomandestroyed · 29/12/2021 09:00

@MsTSwift

I am also finding “high tea” amusing because it sounds so pretentious and everyone seems to have their own (entirely different) definition of what it actually is 😁
I remembered an old family story this morning ; my mother and her cousin when they were young children climbing up to the roof of the Shed and pouring themselves Tea from a Tea pot, they had decided that they would have High Tea. That was in the 1940'sSmile.
BigSandyBalls2015 · 29/12/2021 09:55

We’ve always done something, usually out, even when the DCs were small, someone’s house or occasionally we hosted. Now they’re older and off out or working and we meet friends for dinner/drinks.

notanothertakeaway · 29/12/2021 10:00

@MsTSwift

I am also finding “high tea” amusing because it sounds so pretentious and everyone seems to have their own (entirely different) definition of what it actually is 😁
@MsTSwiftst

High tea isn't pretentious, quite the opposite. I think of it as simple, hearty food you might eat after a day's hard physical work

Perhaps it's a Northern thing

MsTSwift · 29/12/2021 12:03

Loving the high tea on the roof! For various reasons am having pizza at 4.30pm today. I shall define that as high tea 😁

PhilCornwall1 · 29/12/2021 12:54

@MsTSwift

Loving the high tea on the roof! For various reasons am having pizza at 4.30pm today. I shall define that as high tea 😁
If you are having pizza, I guess you'll be having tè alto.

(According to Google you will anyway)

BiBabbles · 29/12/2021 13:19

When my kids were as little as that, we had a playlist of New Year and wintery music that they'd sing and dance to in the evening (there are a lot of videos that simulate the countdown which they really liked), with a little bag of treats and we'd use a couple poppers then they'd go to bed at their usual time and the night was for me and my spouse. My kids were allowed to start trying to stay up when they were about 6 or so.

My plans this year, with kids 10-17, we have a longer playlist and they've picked out their favourite family games to play and some cake, at midnight they get a treat bag with some chocolate coins and a few poppers each which if like the last few years they will try to shoot in a way that the streamers get stuck somewhere on the ceiling which will be left for weeks, and then they go to bed.

Once they're upstairs, my spouse and I buy, download, and set up any digital gifts so they're ready and maybe have an hour to ourselves before I get some sleep (spouse is a night worker, he might have a nap too). In the morning, we have a huge special first breakfast and then we'll bring down their gift bags and after that they can check devices for digital fun.

We got the grocery delivery today with the things for the breakfast and even the teenagers looked excited though my oldest thinks I may have overdone it.

derxa · 29/12/2021 13:36

@MsTSwift

So two entirely different descriptions of what high tea actually is 😁. Sounds made up to me.
It's not. It's a Scottish thing. Cooked meal plus cakes, bread and jam and tea.
shouldistop · 29/12/2021 13:43

We have a 5yo and 1yo and will be having a steak pie dinner then putting on the disco light and music after dinner. Kids will go to bed at their usual time about 7pm and I'll go to bed at my usual time of 10pm. I'm not deliberately depriving myself of sleep, my 1yo does that enough Grin

PeeAche · 29/12/2021 14:15

We have the in laws over (not my choice) eat M&S Christmas party food and watch the hootenanny.

This year we have Covid so it's all of the above minus the in laws. Hallelujah.

shivermetimbers77 · 30/12/2021 22:09

I love New Year’s Eve usually but this year I am stuck in due to covid .. I am enjoying this thread for some good ideas about how to make it feel fun though

WheekestLink · 30/12/2021 22:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BluebellsareBlue · 30/12/2021 22:17

Son is 17 and will prob be going out, DP has his lovely kids so will be in a different city. I think I'll go to the pics with my sun early doors and then have few drinks and go to bed. Even though I have invites, I'll just stay home , I love my DO so would like to face time at the bells x

WheekestLink · 30/12/2021 22:17

The last time I went out for NYE was 2007. I'm 36 now so make of that what you will.

We do a family games night, cook a lovely meal and are always in bed by 10pm. We don't drink so up very early on NYD - we go hiking or for a long bike ride. I love it!

PeapodBurgundy · 31/12/2021 14:05

We're lighting the outdoor log burner to cook sausages, vegetable skewers, corn on the cob, creme fraiche jacket potatoes and smores. I'm making fresh bread rolls for sausage buns, and the DC and I have just made and decorated a sponge cake.

The DC (5 & 3) will have some sparklers, then we all climb onto the top bunk with the curtains open and lights off to watch the early fireworks until they fall asleep.

We'll likely all be asleep before midnight, but I do like out little teatime/evening ritual. We do very similar on bonfire night, but different food.

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